Air India has faced significant ethical challenges over the past three years, resulting in the termination of over 1,000 employees. Campbell Wilson, the airline’s CEO, highlighted these issues during a town hall meeting with staff on May 8, 2026.
The terminations were largely due to ethical breaches such as misuse of the employee leisure travel system and incidents involving smuggling and excess baggage without charge. Wilson emphasized the importance of integrity, stating that employees must adhere to ethical standards even when unobserved.
Owned by the Tata Group, Air India currently employs around 24,000 people. The airline has been implementing cost-saving measures in response to financial difficulties, including withholding annual increments and reducing discretionary spending.
In March 2026, discrepancies in the leisure travel policy involving over 4,000 employees were detected, leading to corrective actions and penalties. Wilson warned of a challenging year ahead if the Middle East situation does not improve, with the airline incurring losses exceeding ₹22,000 crore in the financial year ending March 2026.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, May 12, 2026
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
